BY NUALA MCALOON

Good news arrived in Lisnaskea after Christmas when 35-stone Anthony McCormack (45) learned that after four years of waiting, he was finally going to get the life-changing weight-loss surgery he so crucially requires.

Anthony, who is clinically described as 'morbid obese', is expected to travel to Liverpool next month to have bariatric surgery at the Spire Murrayfield Hospital, Wirral, on 5th February.

"Since October", he explained, " there have been 160 people on the waiting list, but, since part of my records had been misplaced in Belfast and because my BMI is currently 75 (ideal BMI is 21-25), they decided I was a priority case.

"Just before Christmas, I got an invite to go to Poland in March. But, before I could make arrangements, I wanted to check out with the hospital if there was a chance I would be called before that. The lady dealing with my files said she was working on it and the following day she said I had got a date for 5th February. The news came just after Christmas, so I was over the moon."

The operation Anthony will have is known as a Biliopancreatic Diversion/Duodenal Switch (BPD/DS) procedure.

The BPD/DS combines restrictive and malabsorptive elements to achieve and maintain the best reported long-term percentage of excess weight loss among modern weight-loss surgery procedures.

The procedure includes a partial gastrectomy, which reduces the stomach, effectively restricting its capacity while maintaining its normal functions.

The malabsorptive component of the procedure rearranges the small intestine to separate the flow of food from the flow of bile and pancreatic juices. This inhibits the absorption of calories and some nutrients. Further down the digestive tract, these divided intestinal paths are rejoined; food and digestive juices begin to mix, and limited fat absorption occurs in the common tract as the food continues on its path toward the large intestine.

"I will be on a very strict diet the week before I have the operation to shrink the liver because it is keyhole surgery," Anthony explained.

FOUR STONE

His high protein, low carb diet will run from yesterday (Tuesday) until 4th February. Then on the Friday, 5th, Anthony will have the operation.

"It involves a duodenal switch band being put around the upper part of my stomach. The operation lasts about 50 minutes and I will be kept in for three to four days to check that there are no leakages from what the surgeon cuts away. It's a safety precaution, and only two of my consultant's patients have died as a result of a leakage."

Anthony says that all going well, he can expect to be back up on his feet later that day.

"In terms of eating, I will be back to a new born baby. I will start on pureed meals over a couple of months and then, gradually I will be built up to solid foods, but I will only ever be able to eat little amounts. I can expect to lose a lot of weight in the first month or two, up to four stone. The overall weight loss will be rapid in the first two years, but I must follow a healthy diet to ensure the body gets all the nourishment it requires."

The concept of never being able to eat properly again is a difficult one to come to terms with but, after a life of struggling with his excess weight, Anthony is more than ready for the change.

His obesity has instigated a number of problems over the years, including the emotional pangs of depression. He also suffers from sleep apoena syndrome which gives Anthony the sensation signalled from the brain to stop breathing. Subsequently, he relies on a machine to stop this occurring.

He also has hypertension which ensures his blood pressure is always high. His joints are constantly sore and, while he can wash and dress himself, he depends entirely on others. For instance, he gets 15 minutes Home Help a day to help him get his socks and shoes on.

"Having this operation is the hard way out", he acknowledged, " but I want a moderate healthy life. There are no vain reasons for doing this, I just want to be fit again and be able to do simple things like tie my laces.

"I have had lots of support from family and friends. At the minute there is only one shop I can buy clothes in - Clarkes' in Enniskillen. So my sister sent me a Christmas card saying, 'Next year it will be Kells' or Next, you will have a choice'."

TIE MY LACES

Asked what he is looking forward to doing once he begins to shed the weight, Anthony's simple requests, many things most of us take for granted, are remarkable.

"I want to be fit to go for a long walk. I want be able to wash myself in a household bath, at the minute I can only shower. My brother has a pool and I love swimming but I would never go to a public bath for obvious reasons, so I would like to be able to do that.

"I would like to be able to put on my socks and shoes and tie my laces. I do some casual work, helping out my brother in his shop but I would also like to get a full-time job."

Anthony admits that the temptation and craving for food won't go away but, he is willing to take on that challenge in a bid for a better lifestyle.

"It is a quality of life I desire and I want to get fit. I am not going to regret my decision. I want to be fit and healthy.

"From a child, I have had to contend with things like 'Put McCormack in goals' because I wasn't fit, so this is a new start for me."